How to Use the Technology Match Arena

The Technology Match Arena is designed to help you explore how different pipeline rehabilitation technologies perform under specific project conditions. By entering a few key details about your pipe and the challenges it faces, the tool generates a head-to-head comparison between two rehabilitation approaches and highlights the tradeoffs.

The goal is to provide a fast, structured way to think through rehabilitation strategies before moving into detailed engineering analysis.

Follow the steps below to run a matchup.

Step 1: Select the Pipe Type

Begin by choosing the type of pipeline system you are evaluating. Options include gravity sewer, stormwater, pressure water, culvert, or industrial process piping.

This selection helps the tool account for the different structural and operational requirements of each system type. For example, gravity sewer systems may prioritize infiltration control and service reinstatement, while pressure systems may require higher structural reliability.

Step 2: Choose the Pipe Diameter Range

Select the approximate diameter of the pipe segment being evaluated.

Pipe size can significantly influence rehabilitation feasibility, installation logistics, and technology selection. Some technologies perform best in smaller diameters, while others are better suited for large-diameter infrastructure.

Step 3: Identify the Pipe Material

Choose the material of the host pipe. Examples include clay, concrete, ductile iron, cast iron, corrugated metal pipe (CMP), or plastic pipe.

The host pipe material affects corrosion behavior, structural stability, and the compatibility of certain rehabilitation methods.

Step 4: Select Observed Defects

Next, identify the defects or deterioration conditions observed in the pipe. You may select multiple conditions if they are present.

Examples include:

• Root intrusion

• Cracks or fractures

• Joint offsets

• Infiltration or inflow

• Corrosion

• Service connections

• Deformation or ovality

• Missing wall sections

• Heavy debris accumulation

• Multiple bends

These selections help the Arena understand the type and severity of deterioration affecting the pipeline.

Step 5: Identify Project Constraints

Many rehabilitation decisions are influenced not only by pipe condition but also by external constraints. Select any project limitations that apply.

Examples include:

• Minimal excavation allowed

• Limited bypass pumping capacity

• Short construction window

• High traffic surface conditions

• Potable water requirements

• Budget constraints

• Long design life expectations

These constraints help simulate the real-world conditions that often drive technology selection.

Step 6: Run the Technology Matchup

Once the pipe conditions and constraints have been entered, click Run Matchup.

The Arena will generate a head-to-head comparison between two rehabilitation technologies. Each method is evaluated across several performance categories such as structural capability, installation risk, schedule risk, and surface disruption.

The comparison is presented as a visual scorecard so you can quickly see how the two technologies perform under the selected conditions.

Step 7: Review the Arena Result

The Arena will identify one of three outcomes:

Technology A wins
One technology demonstrates a stronger overall performance for the selected conditions.

Technology B wins
The alternative technology shows advantages for the scenario.

Situational tie
Both technologies may be viable depending on project-specific factors such as contractor capability, inspection results, or design preferences.

Below the result, the tool provides a brief explanation describing the factors that influenced the outcome.

Step 8: Run Additional Matchups

Pipeline rehabilitation decisions often involve comparing multiple technologies. You can run additional comparisons by clicking Show Another Matchup.

This allows you to explore how different technologies perform against each other for the same pipe conditions.

Step 9: Share or Save the Results

If you would like to reference the result later or share it with colleagues, you can copy the summary generated by the tool. The copied output includes the pipe scenario, the technologies compared, and the reasoning behind the outcome.

Important Note

The Technology Match Arena is intended as a conceptual decision-support tool, not a final design recommendation. Rehabilitation strategies should always be confirmed through detailed inspection data, engineering evaluation, and project-specific design requirements.

However, the Arena provides a fast and practical way to explore potential solutions and understand the strengths and limitations of common trenchless rehabilitation technologies.